The Mills Canyon Fire on July 9. One of multiple fires putting smoke into local skies, it has since grown to 22,500 acres.

OLYMPIA -- A state of emergency was declared late Tuesday, July 14, in 20 Eastern Washington counties in response to multiple wildfires threatening homes, businesses, public infrastructure, and natural resources in many parts of the state as fire crews face continued severe fire weather conditions.

The proclamation was signed at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, acting for Gov. Jay Inslee, who is on state business in Washington, D.C.

Firefighters are battling multiple fires in eastern Washington, including six that started on Tuesday. The fires are threatening more than 500 homes, resulting in numerous evacuations, and may result in additional damage to other homes, infrastructure, natural resources, and businesses.

In addition, extreme fire weather conditions and a lack of available firefighting resources in the Pacific Northwest could hamper future firefighting efforts in the state.

The proclamation provides for the use the Washington National Guard and the State Guard in the event its resources are needed to protect public health, safety, and welfare; directs state agencies to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected local governments in responding and recovering from the fires; and directs staff at the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state support activities.

The state's largest fire is the Mills Canyon fire in Chelan County. It has burned more than 22,500 acres, and is being fought by 1,042 firefighters and support personnel. The Washington State Patrol has mobilized local fire resources for the Mills Canyon Fire, and just Tuesday evening

for the Stokes Fire near Twisp in Okanogan County. Several of the new fires threaten homes and other infrastructure.

The National Weather Service posted red flag warnings and fire weather watches for hazardous fire weather conditions (high temperatures, low humidity, high winds) for much of eastern Washington from Wednesday afternoon through Friday.

The Department of Natural Resources has banned outdoor fires on state-protected lands due to extreme conditions. Other local and federal agencies have instituted burn bans on lands under their jurisdiction.

MOST POPULAR:

MOST POPULAR:

Grant County declares burning ba

By press release

Grant County

EPHRATA – The Grant County Board of Commissioners today imposed a temporary ban on outdoor burning effective Wednesday July 16, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all outdoor burning until further notice and will be lifted once conditions improve. If citizens are caught burning, they could face fines and other consequences.

With the hot, dry, arid conditions, and a heavy load of dry grass and sage brush throughout the county, officials are additionally anticipating new wildfires to ignite. The risks include nighttime fires which may be ignited by summertime lightning storms.

The Grant County Fire Marshal urges citizens to follow these safety tips.

• Take yard debris to the county landfill or recycling centers.

• Use caution when mowing or working with other equipment that could spark.

• If you spot a fire, large column of smoke, or suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.

The county burn ban does not change the burn ban already imposed on all cities in Grant County. Since 2007, burning bans have been imposed by the Washington Department of Ecology for all cities and within Urban Growth Areas. When the countywide burn ban is lifted, the Ecology burn bans for all cities will still be in place.

The county ban does not affect fires at campgrounds in fire pits or agricultural burning such as the burning of field crop residue and orchard tear out residue. Provided the burning is permitted and conducted in accordance with the Washington Department of Ecology. For more information on agro burning, contact the Department of Ecology at 509-329-3400.